Robert Sayle Peterborough: Post-war Years, 1945-1956

Restrictions

Trade at Robert Sayle Peterborough remained adequate after the conclusion of the Second World War. The store may well have totally avoided the German bombing raids, but it still suffered from various post-war restrictions that turned customers away, such as ‘Purchase tax’, placed on all non-essential goods. By the 1950s however, the store was to some extent back on its feet having undergone a number of low-key refurbishments, but all of the Partners’ hard work was to be in vain.

‘Worst Blaze of the Century’

On the 22nd August 1956, a fire started in Robert Sayle Peterborough. It was never ascertained what exactly started the blaze, but the results were truly devastating. The flames spread quickly to other shops, before leaping across the street to the other main Robert Sayle building.  The Peterborough Voluntary Fire Brigade HQ was situated directly behind the store, and their efforts to save the burning buildings were initially slowed by their efforts to get to their own fire engines.

Little choice but to close

One small building belonging to Robert Sayle survived the fire just about unscathed. This building became all that was left of the business. Within three weeks of the blaze, it was decided to close the remaining shop, and to withdraw the Partnership’s presence from Peterborough. This was announced to Partners in The Gazette of the 15th September 1956, by then President Bernard Miller.

“The buildings that were destroyed were old and inefficient and the business conducted in them has been costly to operate and has made little headway since the war”.

On the 1st January 1957, trading ceased. Robert Sayle of Peterborough was no more.